My Riffs

Knowing the time means you know when to plant, when to water, when to harvest and when to start over. Doing the right thing in the wrong season means the results won't be there. However, doing it in the right season can produce the best possible results. Be wise; do things in their season.

So, do we have the capacity to care for those in our circle?  If we’re constantly caught up in our own world and problems then we’re not likely able to.  Here’s the interesting thing, caring for those around us actually helps lift the burdens we’re carrying. Maybe it’s cause we’re no longer hyper focused on our problems. Whatever it is, it works.  Helping others, actually helps yourself. We must have been created for this :)

You can’t get better without getting uncomfortable.  Comfort is recovery and respite. Comfort isn’t the place to build, strengthen or grow.  Get uncomfortable. Embrace discomfort (with wisdom). 

We can choose to lift or to weigh down. There’s times we need help and to lean on someone, and that’s perfectly okay.  We get to choose though if we want to keep weighing people down or if we want to lift people up.  Weighing people down makes life heavier for both.  Lifting people up makes life easier for both.  Aiming to lift people up is a particularly noble aim. 

Part of maturing is taking ownership. Owning whatever is within your control. Blame gives away our control. We can blame other people, we can blame the past, we can blame circumstances, the government or the weather. But that gives away our power. So take ownership and you take back control of the situation. It doesn't mean the situation will go how you like or want, but you will have a part in it. You can shape it to some degree. At the least you can shape your attitude and approach to it.

So often I find myself thinking and preparing for the next thing. It takes me away from the moment and the moments.  While it's good to keep our eyes on things ahead and the goals, it's easy to not be present.  For me, it takes conscious effort to be present in every moment, and both give and absorb what opportunity that moment holds. It takes slowing down and being conscious. It takes quieting all the noise. It takes focus and discipline, but what do we have besides time? So remembering to be present is the way to use that time wisely and efficently.